200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
A SOC analyst is tuning a SIEM correlation rule to detect port scanning. The rule should generate an alert when a single source IP connects to many different destination ports on multiple hosts within a short time. Which THREE conditions should be included in the rule?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Count of unique destination IPs > threshold
Port scanning involves multiple ports on multiple hosts from one source. Unique destination ports and unique destination IPs are key. Low packet count per connection is typical of scans (e.g., SYN scans).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Count of unique destination IPs > threshold
Why this is correct
Scans often target multiple hosts.
- ✗
Destination port is well-known
Why it's wrong here
Scans can target any port.
- ✓
Single source IP
Why this is correct
Scans come from a single source.
- ✗
Average packet count per connection is high (e.g., >100)
Why it's wrong here
Scans usually have low packet count (e.g., single SYN).
- ✓
Count of unique destination ports > threshold
Why this is correct
Scans connect to many ports.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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